Electrical automated nail-clipping device

ABSTRACT

An automatic nail clipping device including a blade plate replaceably secured within a blade plate holder frame within a covering shell, an electronic motor driving a shaft which in turn rotates an extending cam element. The extending cam element engaging an oblong opening on a backside of the blade plate holder frame, raising and dropping the entire blade plate holder frame, and causing the blade in the blade plate to clip nails in a downward movement and return the blade plate to a ready elevated position.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 120 as aContinuation-in-Part of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/900,918, filed 13 Jun. 2020 and titled “ELECTRICAL AUTOMATEDNAIL-CLIPPING DEVICE”, which is in turn a Continuation-in-Part ofcopending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/715,886, filed 26 Sep.2018 and titled “ELECTRONIC NAIL CLIPPER,” now U.S. Pat. No. 10,779,628.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of toe nail clippers andespecially automated toe nail clippers for use with human hands and feetfor clipping fingernails and toenails.

2. Background of the Art

One of the more obvious needs for personal grooming is the need to clipfingernails as they are unsightly when not properly addressed. Whereopen-toe shoes are used or individuals are barefoot, toenails aresimilarly important for grooming. Many groups of individuals are unableto groom their own nails because of infirmity, disability and the like,such as having only a single arm, back problems limiting bending, muscleweakness, partial paralysis, tremors, poor vision and the like. Nailtrimming therefore becomes difficult and often requires individuals toseek the aid of others to enable them to maintain their desired level ofpersonal grooming. This increases their dependency on others and adds tofeelings of guilt in those requiring such basic care from third parties.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,2423 (Brizan) discloses a manual or electric nailclipper that can assist individuals to either manually or automaticallyclip a toenail or fingernail. The fingernail or toenail is inserted intothe front end of the device and a pair of trimming edges move togetherto clip the fingernail or toenail safely, easily and conveniently. Oneof the embodiments contemplates a manual device and the other is anelectric device.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,865,312 discloses a nail trimmer for enabling a personto comfortably trim toenails without having to take on an awkward oruncomfortable posture. The nail trimmer has a long extension housing,which has a handle at its upper end and a trimmer unit at its lower end.A battery-operated motor and on/off switch are incorporated into thehandle end. A detachable trimmer unit is connected at the lower end. Adado cutting blade and a gear unit are enclosed in the trimmer unit. Anopening in the trimmer unit housing provides access to the cutting edgeof the blade.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,430 (Davidovitz) discloses a cutter deviceparticularly useful for cutting fingernails and toenails includes ahousing grippable by a user for holding and manipulating the device. Aslot is formed in a conical end portion of the housing and is elongatedin the circumferential direction for receiving a nail to be cut. Arotatable head having an outer conical surface is rotatably mountedwithin the conical end portion of the housing. A blade is fixed to therotatable head and has a cutting edge extending substantially radiallyof the conical surface of the head and perpendicularly to the slot. Amotor within the housing and coupled to the head rotates the head, andthe blade fixed thereto, such that the cutting edge of the blade isrotated substantially perpendicularly to the direction of elongation ofthe slot and the nail received therein.

Various animal nail clippers have been shown in the prior art such asU.S. Pat. No. 2,955,354, issued to Laing, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,507issued to Clark, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,585, issued to Nelson. One ofthe deficiencies in prior art clippers is no provision for localizingthe quick of the nail prior to clipping the nail thus avoiding theaforementioned injury. The present invention overcomes this deficiencyby providing a mechanically actuated nail clipper for an animal, or pet,which allows the user to sense the position of the quick prior toclipping the nail then to clip the nail safely at the desired length.

Further, the U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,553 to Fields showed a claw clipperwith a reciprocating cutter. The clipper has a gauge 56 to establish howmuch nail to remove. The reciprocating cutter, 30, then is rapidlyadvance to clip the nail using a motorized screw. The cutter includes aspring to return the cutter to a recoiled position for the motorizedscrew to advance the cutter again, reciprocally. Alas, this patent doesnot detect the presence of the quick with any sensor.

The published Patent Application to Kang, No. 2006/0042559 shows aclipper for pet claws with a lever operated cutter. The clipper receivesa nail on the side and the nail proceeds between the two blades of thecutter. The cutter has a fixed blade and a rotating blade. Grasping thelever rotates the rotating blade to clip the nail.

The application discloses a battery powered motor in the larger handlefor grinding a clipped nail. The present invention though has a cutterthat receives a nail from the bottom and a cutter with two blades. Theblades of the present invention slide along a common line while abuttingeach other. The present invention lacks a motor or other grindingfeature but does have the sensing means and quick indicator whichdifferentiates the present invention from the Kang publication.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,321 (Rodgers) discloses an optical source andcorresponding sensor for detecting the quick of an animal's nail. Thispatented device has a mechanical clipper with a sliding blade coupledwith an optical source and sensor. The source and sensor are mountedproximate the clipper so an accurate reading of light passing through anail is ascertained by the sensor prior to usage of the clipper. Thepresent invention though has sensing through electrical charge orcapacitance or resistance, a thermocouple, piezo-electric, heat,ultrasound, x-ray radiation, and infrared radiation. Once the quick isdetected using the sensor, the present invention activates a quickindicator, preferably LED of single or multiple colors, to avoidstartling an animal, to guide the user in operating the presentinvention.

U.S. Patent Application (Huggans) published as No. 2005/0132975, shows ahand powered nail and claw clipper. The clipper has a mechanical twoblade guillotine type cutter where one blade is advanced along the otherblade when the handle is closed. The clipper also has a sensor locatedin the fixed blade opposite the advancing other blade. The sensor ispreferably a high intensity light with a cooperating detector oralternatively an ultrasound detector, a pulse oximeter, a laser, and aninfrared thermometer. The present invention shares some features withthis allowed application. However, the present invention has at leastone LED to inform the operator visually, using single or multiplecolors, about proximity to the quick and a detector capable ofinitializing itself. The detector establishes, or uses apre-established, baseline on a non-quick substance, such as air, anduses that baseline to later determine the location of the cutting bladerelative to the quick.

An operator need not look at the position of the cutting blade on a nailbut rather at the LED.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,100,088 (Manheimer) discloses a clipper for clippingnails of an animal such as a dog, or cat, that allows for the clippingof an individual nail at the desired length while preventing injury tothe animal, including a clipper portion and a sensing portion whichallows the nail to be localized in a desired position relative to theclipping plane of the clipper and the internal structure of the nail,wherein the sensing portion is included within circuitry that includes asignal generation portion, a signal reception portion, and a quickindicator. The animal nail is positioned near the clipper portion andthe sensing portion produces a sensible signal confirming the positionof the clipping plane upon the nail, particularly the quick of the nail.The user then may adjust the position of the clipper portion such thatthe clipping plane avoids the quick. The user then actuates the clipperportion and trims the nail. (1. A device for safely cutting a nail of ananimal to a desired length, while reducing the possibility of injury tosaid animal by cutting into a quick of the nail, comprising: at leastone cutting blade; a means for mounting said cutting blade, saidmounting means having an accommodation for a sensing means; mechanicalactuating means for reciprocally moving said cutting blade from a firstposition to a second cutting position; a fixed blade having an aperturefor receiving the nail of the animal, said fixed blade being placedadjacent said cutting blade; said mounting means having a hollow handle,said handle accommodating said cutting blade, said fixed blade and saidactuating means; said actuating means linking to said cutting blade, andhaving a moveable handle pivotally connecting with said hollow handlethus allowing a user to close said moveable handle upon said hollowhandle thus advancing said cutting blade upon said fixed blade to cut anail of an animal placed within said aperture; a sensing portion capableof detecting the internal structure of the nail of the animal receivedin said aperture of said fixed blade and providing an indication thereofbefore actuation of said cutting blade, said sensing portion includingsaid sensing means, an electrical supply located within said hollowhandle, a digital processor, and a quick indicator connected together incircuitry; said sensing means arranged adjacent to and connecting withthe fixed blade and comprising a capacitor, said capacitor having atleast a single plate, said capacitor of the sensing means being arrangedat the approximate front end of the sensing means and just adjacent tothe edge of the aperture of the fixed blade, said electrical supplyproviding power to said plate, said capacitor being in communicationthrough said circuitry with said quick indicator, said capacitorincluding a circuit portion of said circuitry such that changes in theinstantaneous capacitance of the capacitor causes a change in theoscillatory frequency of said circuit portion, said oscillatoryfrequency being interpreted by said digital processor, the digitalprocessor being programmed to differentiate between frequency arisingfrom the interposing of air, nail, or nail with underlying quick aslocated near the fixed blade aperture during usage; and said quickindicator comprising a visual display communicating with the circuitryfor warning a user of said device to the presence of quick of the nailof an animal therein during usage, said visual display being at leastone light emitting diode, for warning the user of said device to thepresence of quick of the nail of the animal before any cutting occurs.)

U.S. Pat. No. 8,496,013 (McCourtney) discloses a fingernail clipperholding device includes a housing having a hollow interior and having agenerally ellipsoid ergonomic configuration that is easy to grip. Anupper portion of the housing may include a channel having aconfiguration to receive the housing of a fingernail clipping device andto hold it securely. The housing defines a receiving area on which auser may position his finger adjacent the cutting head of the fingernailclipping device. A gripping member is attached to a lower portion of thehousing to receive a user's fingers or hand. Stabilizing members may beattached to the bottom surface of the lower portion to hold the housingstationary on a flat surface.

Other general disclosures of nail clipping systems include U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,539,632; 5,775,340; and 5,775,340 (with receptacle for cutnails). All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

The prior art devices are often lacking in ease of use, require manualinput, and do not consistently provide safety features to avoid injuryto the users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus includes a housing havinga front face and a rear face, two sides, a top and a bottom. The sidesmay b mor or less relatively distinct because of their geometric shape,such as round, ocal, jagged etc.

The front face of the housing having an opening revealing the frontaccess plate with a slot at least 0.5 mm in height and between 0.7 cmand 4 cm in width, the slot having a front-facing opening and arear-facing opening. Within the housing and proximal to the rear-facingopening is a vertically translating nail-cutting blade plate associatedwith an electric motor that is configured to translate the nail-cuttingblade plate within a blade plate holder frame consecutively down and up.

The blade plate is a solid material having a blade and blade supportnotches on either side to transfer the down and up cutting action. Withan opening therein, the top of the opening comprises a cutting bladewith a cutting edge within the opening such that the cutting edge isadjacent the rear-facing element.

An automatic nail-clipping device having a front plate having anexterior face and an interior face with a curved slot for allowing nailsof a primate; the curved slot having a raised highest elevation and twolower elevations ends of the slot; the nail clipping device having ahousing that contains a motor and a cutting blade that reciprocatesalong the interior face of the front plate, traversing across the slot;the exterior of the front plate having an elevated area extendingoutwardly away from the front plate and below the raised highestelevation of the curved slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front access plate on anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a front access plate on anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus with a feature to improveperformance with difficult nails according to the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a front access plate on anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus with a feature to improveperformance with difficult nails according to the present invention bydeflecting flesh to prevent its entry into a cutting area.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reciprocating cutting blade in anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3A is a top-side perspective view of an electrically-powered nailcutting apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B an upward left-side perspective view from the bottom of anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3C is a right-side read end perspective view of anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 3D is a front view of a nail slot showing a flat bottom edge and acurved top edge. The top and bottom edges could both be curved or bothbe flat.

FIG. 4 is a front view of an electrically-powered nail cutting apparatusaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right-side view of an electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a back-rear-to-front perspective view of an openedelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a front-to-rear back perspective view of an openedelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A is a front-to-rear back perspective view of electrical clips toattach a power source to a motor driving movement of the blade in anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 8B is aback rear-to-front perspective view of electrical clips toattach a power source to a motor driving movement of the blade in anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A is a rear-to-front perspective view of electrical motor used toassist in motivating cutting blade movement.

FIG. 9B is a back-to-front perspective view of electrical motor used toassist in motivating cutting blade movement.

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of a front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system of the present invention.

FIG. 10B shows a side cutaway view of the front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system of the present invention shownin FIG. 10A, but without the blade shown.

FIG. 10C shows a side cutaway view of the front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system of the present invention shownin FIGS. 10A and 10B, but with the blade shown supported by a springfeature and the front access plate in position and glide controls.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system of the present invention withthe cover front access plate removed to expose the interior supports forthe blade.

FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of a front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system of the present invention withthe front access cover plate removed to expose the blade supported byinterior supports.

FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the back side of the blade plateholder frame with the oblong, oval cam-receiving opening.

FIG. 12C shows a perspective view of the front side of the blade plateholder frame with the raised pressure ridges shown in an area where theblade plate is set.

FIG. 13A shows a side. cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame withblade plate receiving area and edges of the oblong, oval cam-receivingopening, the blade plate holder frame in an elevated position over thebottom of the housing.

FIG. 13B shows a side. cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame withblade plate receiving area and edges of the oblong, oval cam-receivingopening, the blade plate holder frame in a lowermost position over or incontact with the bottom of the housing.

FIG. 14 shows the cam element with the extending cam positionedoff-center within the cam receiving opening so that rotation of theentire cam element causes the distal edge of the cam to move in arelatively circular manner within the cam receiving opening.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an electronic nailclipping device within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 16A is a front view of the blade plate with the eccentricallyrotating cam in an uppermost position within the hole of the bladeplate.

FIG. 16B is a front view of the blade plate with the eccentricallyrotating cam in an lowermost position within the hole of the bladeplate.

FIG. 16C is a front view of the blade plate with the eccentricallyrotating cam in a farthest left position within the hole of the bladeplate.

FIG. 16D is a front view of the blade plate with the eccentricallyrotating cam in a farthest right position within the hole of the bladeplate.

FIG. 17A shows a front view of an alternative front plate having twoflesh retractors below the nail opening to the internal cuttingmechanism of the device.

FIG. 17B shows a side view of an alternative front plate having twoflesh retractors below the nail opening to the internal cuttingmechanism of the device.

DETAILED DESCIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An automatic nail-clipping device has a front plate having an exteriorface and an interior face with a curved slot for allowing nails of aprimate; the curved slot having a raised highest elevation and two lowerelevations ends of the slot; the nail clipping device having a housingthat contains a motor and a cutting blade that reciprocates along theinterior face of the front plate, traversing across the slot; theexterior of the front plate having an elevated area extending outwardlyaway from the front plate and below the raised highest elevation of thecurved slot.

The elevated area may be a metal or synthetic resin flexible pieceattached to the exterior face of the front plate. The elevated area maybe a synthetic polymer living hinge fused or molded to the exterior faceof the front plate. The cutting blade may be supported in a blade platehaving a frame with a forward face and a rear face, the front facehaving the cutting blade secured thereon and the rear face having acam-receptive opening with four interior sides comprising a top, abottom and two sides in the opening;

-   -   a. the opening having a cam positioned therein, the cam having        an eccentrically positioned slot with a post extending therein        from a drive shaft on the motor;    -   b. the eccentricity of the slot causing rotation of the post        from the drive shaft to eccentrically rotate the cam so that it        progresses in contact with the four interior sides to        progressively raise and lower the drive plate.

An alternative description of an automatic nail-clipping device of theinvention includes:

-   -   a covering shell with a face plate having a slot for nail        insertion therein;    -   a cutting blade;        wherein the cutting blade is supported in a blade plate having a        frame with a forward face and a rear face, the front face having        the cutting blade secured thereon and the rear face having a        cam-receptive opening with four interior sides comprising a top,        a bottom and two sides in the opening;    -   c. the opening having a cam positioned therein, the cam having        an eccentrically positioned slot with a post extending therein        from a drive shaft on the motor;    -   d. the eccentricity of the slot causing rotation of the post        from the drive shaft to eccentrically rotate the cam so that it        progresses in contact with the four interior sides to        progressively raise and lower the drive plate.

The frame of the blade plate has a front face and a rear face, andjoining the blade and opposed edge, two side edges; each side edgehaving c) a notch or hole therein or b) a pin or post therein; eachblade supported in the blade plate; the frame of the blade plate havingd) two posts fitted into the notches or holes in the side edge or e) twoholes or notches fitted onto the pin or post; the blade supported in theframe of the blade plate with support from the two side edges and therear face; the frame of the blade plate having a front face with araised pressure ridge thereon providing pressure against the blade platetransferring said pressure through the blade plate to the rear of theface plate, and a rear face with an oval cam receiving opening therein;the blade holder frame slideably engaged within a motor mount frame; theface plate, stably fixed to the covering shell motor frame mount, with aslot in the face plate for allowing insertion of a nail of a primate topass through the slot to a cutting area within the covering shell;engaging the cam receiving opening in the rear face of the blade plateis the eccentrically rotating cam; an electric motor connected to thecam through the drive shaft; the motor configured to rotate therotatable shaft, revolving the eccentrically revolving cam; theeccentrically revolving cam configured to apply varying force againstthe cam-receptive opening in the rear face of the blade plate, therebycausing the entire frame of the blade plate to slide up and down withinthe covering shell, moving the blade plate parallel against a plane ofthe face plate.

The blade plate may further have an outwardly-sloped plane to catch andredirect nail clippings from behind the face plate to a front area ofthe face plate and each side edge having a) the notch or hole therein.

The device may have an on-off switch is present on the covering shell toclose a circuit allowing power to flow to the electric motor and eachside edge having a) the notch or hole therein. The device may have thecovering shell with a first top piece and a second bottom piece, andconnection of the first top piece and the second bottom piece fixes themotor frame mount within the covering shell and provides space for theblade holder frame to slide unobstructed along a complete upward trackand a complete downward track. The device may also have the frame of theblade plate further comprises an outwardly-sloped plane to catch andredirect nail clippings from behind the face plate to a front area ofthe face plate.

The device may have the second bottom piece with an indentation in frontof and below the face plate, and a sliding tray inserted into theindentation to capture nail clippings from the outwardly sloped plane.The device may also have the covering shell enclose a battery pack forcarrying at least one battery that can power the electric motor. Theremay also be a timer is engaged with the electric motor to cause timedintervals between movement of the blade holder frame by the motor. Themovement of the blade plate is effected and controlled by the rotationsper minute of a drive shaft driven by the electric motor. The device mayhave a raised pressure ridge that provides pressure against the bladeplate which biases the blade plate against the interior face of the faceplate as the blade holder frame reciprocates up and down.

A method of cutting nails of a primate by inserting nails of a primateinto a curved slot of a device comprising: an automatic nail-clippingdevice having a front plate having an exterior face and an interior facewith the curved slot for allowing nails of a primate;

-   -   the curved slot having a raised highest elevation and two lower        elevations ends of the slot;    -   the nail clipping device having a housing that contains a motor        and a cutting blade that reciprocates along the interior face of        the front plate, traversing across the slot;    -   the exterior of the front plate having an elevated area        extending outwardly away from the front plate and below the        raised highest elevation of the curved slot;        the method comprising an electric motor driving the cutting        blade up and down in a reciprocating patter.

Another method of cutting nails of a primate by inserting nails of aprimate into a curved slot of any of the devices described herein, themethod includising the motor driving the drive shaft to rotate theeccentrically rotating cam, causing the blade plate to move reciprocallyup and down, sliding the blade across the slot in the face plate,cutting a nail of a primate placed therein,

An electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus includes a housing havinga front face and a rear face, two sides, a top and a bottom. The frontface of the housing having an opening revealing the front access platewith an open slot at least 0.5 mm in height and preferably between 0.7cm and 4 cm in width, the slot having a front-facing opening and arear-facing opening. Within the housing and proximal to the rear-facingopening is a vertically translating nail-cutting blade plate associatedwith an electric motor that is configured to translate the nail-cuttingblade plate consecutively down and up. The blade plate is a solidmaterial having blade and blade support notches or openings on eitherside to transfer the down and up cutting action. The dimensions inheight facilitate nail thickness entry into the cutting position. Somenails are more curved that others and thicker than others, so that thesedimensions may significantly vary upwards, but will not vary to lesserheights as it would severely limit the number of people that could usethe clipper. Upper heights can be 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.25 mm, 1.5 mm andeven as much as 3.5 mm to allow toe nails that have been damaged andmalformed to fit within the opening and be exposed to the blades. Theopening may be relatively uniform in thickness, or have a greater heighton one side (or in the middle) than on the other side (or sides) toallow easier unassisted entry into the opening at one position and thenrepositioning of the nail within the opening to align the entire nailwithin the opening. The height and shape of the opening could also becontrolled by a portion of the covering shell forming the top of theslot. The blade used is preferably made of metal or ceramic, arust-resistant metal such as stainless steel or titanium, and othercomponents may be variously made of polymeric materials and metal (themotor must have some metal components).

The front-facing opening in the slot further preferably may include arecess for accepting tips of digits or toes when fingernails ortoenails, respectively, are inserted into the slot, but without allowingany significant penetration of the flesh of the digit or toe into theopening where the blade could contact the flesh in a cuttingorientation. This may be a three-dimensional depression, a cavity, amolded open area, or cutout volume in the front face of the housing.This function may also be controlled by variation of the stock bladeplate material.

The apparatus preferably has the electric motor configured tocontinually move the blade plate up and down, or the electric motor isconfigured to move the blade plate up and down, with a time delay intransition from at least one direction to the other. A timing element,rheostat or any other timing device may be used to allow time betweendownward movements of the blade plate for the user to exchange orreorient toes or fingers that are to have their nails trimmed withouthaving to gauge when it is timely to insert a nail in the slot. Anindicator light may also be present on the apparatus indicating anappropriate time period when a nail may be inserted as opposed to theuser guessing when the slot may not be blocked by the blade plate in anextended, lowered position.

The apparatus may perform its up-and-sown movement of the blade plate bythe electric motor engaging the blade plate holder frame with a rotatingcam that engages the blade plate holder frame to repetitively move theblade plate up and down. The cam may have a post or pin which rotatesinside the oblong, oval cam-receiving opening impacts against the bottomof the blade plate or engages a slot in the blade plate (preferablyrelatively below the opening to the blade, so that the blade plate ispulled down and pushed up by the rotating movement of the post extendingfrom the cam, driven by the motor).

The apparatus preferably has the blade plate supported within a grooveor recess located behind the front face of the housing, with the cuttingedge proximal to the slot. The cutting edge of the blade plate shouldintimately slide across the slot during its repetitive movement. In theapparatus, a guide support feature bracing plate may be located againsta side of the blade plate distal from the cutting edge. The guidesupport feature bracing plate stabilizes the blade plate as the bladeplate moves up and down. The bracing plate can be inserted or removedfrom the apparatus by sliding the brace plate within a second groovethat secures the blade plate within the apparatus. Upon removal of thehousing and front access plate bracing plate from the apparatus, theblade plate becomes exposed and can be removed from the apparatus. Theblade plate is free sliding, and can be slid upward out of the apparatus(e.g., for replacement or sharpening) or it may be manually ortool-removed from the groove.

The apparatus may be configured wherein the bracing plate blade plateholder frame has raised or extending elements on a surface to transmitpressure against the blade plate. As the bracing plate blade plateholder frame is fixed within the apparatus, these elements press againstthe blade plate to assure a strong pressure of the blade against theslot.

A review of the figures will assist in an understanding of the presentinvention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front access plate 100 onan electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention. The front access plate 100 has a forward-facing surface 102,a right side 110, a left side 112, an opening 104 for insertion of aremovable clippings collection tray (not shown), a recessed area 106(Only in child and infant versions not adult) for positioning nails intoa blade accessing nail receiving slot 108. The front access plate 100may be permanently affixed onto an electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus according to the present invention, or may be slideable intoplace on the front of the electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a front access plate 100 on anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus (not shown) with a feature120 to improve performance with difficult nails according to the presentinvention by deflecting flesh to prevent its entry through the slot 108into a cutting area within the cutting apparatus. The feature 120.122 isa raised surface, which may be elastic, springy or rigid, and whichdeflects flesh on a finger or toe as the nail is inserted into the slot108. The flesh of the digit tip is pushed away from the nail to makecertain that no flesh or cuticle enters the slot 108. This is especiallyimportant with small children or infants, and also with toes, whereaccuracy is less able to be controlled by the user.

FIG. 1A is a side view of a front access plate 100 on anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus (not shown) with a feature120 to improve performance with difficult nails according to the presentinvention. The feature 120 is shown as a plate (springy or rigid) withan outwardly extending portion 122. When a digit is advanced towards theslot 108, flesh on the digit contacts that extending portion 122,pressing and restraining flesh, creating a greater separation betweenthe flesh underneath the nail and the nail itself. This also tends topull back cuticle, preventing any unwanted tissue from being forced intothe slot 108 and potentially avoiding pain or injury.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a reciprocating cutting blade unit (orblade plate) 200 in an electrically-powered nail cutting apparatusaccording to the present invention. The blade plate unit 200 has a blade212 and blade plate support notches 210 a, 210 b. has a structural frame202, a blade providing opening 210, a cam attending opening 204 toassist in movement of the blade unit 200, a bottom surface 205 of theblade unit 200, and a blade 212 which is moved repeatedly up and down toslice nails inserted into the electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus according to the present invention. The blade (or blade plate,alternatively) 212 is shown here in a distal portion of the blade unit200, but may be on a more proximal position in the blade unit 200. Thatis, the cutting edge of the blade 212 may be farther from or closer tosurface 214 of the blade unit 200. As later explained, a rotatingelement with an eccentrically positioned cam post has the postpositioned within the cam attending opening 204. As the cam post iseccentrically driven, it forces the blade unit (in the preferredinvention, including a later described blade plate holder and bladeplate holder frame) 200 up and down to drive the blade 212. The camattending opening 204 would likely (as later shown) be wider (parallelto the bottom 206 of the blade unit 200 than represented in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3A is a left-side front-right or front-to-rear perspective view ofan electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 300 according to thepresent invention. The electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 300is shown with a top 302, bottom 304, removable nail cuttings tray 306,on-off button 308, external power source connection 310,digit-supporting recessed area 320 and nail-accepting slot 322. Althoughan external power source is illustrated in this FIG. 3A, an internalbattery-source (not shown) may of course be used. Identical numbers inFIGS. 3B and 3C are identical elements in the electrically-powered nailcutting apparatus 300 according to the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a top-side bottom-right or bottom-to-top perspective view ofan electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 300 according to thepresent invention.

A bottom plate 312 and legs 314 are shown. The legs 314 may be pads toprevent the electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 300 according tothe present invention from scratching surfaces on which it is placed.

FIG. 3C is a right-side rear-right or rear-to-front perspective view ofan electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 300 according to thepresent invention.

A back or rear surface 316 is also shown.

FIG. 3D is a front view of a nail-accepting slot 322 showing a flatbottom edge and a curved top edge. The top edge and bottom edge shouldalways be the same relative shape. They could be flat on top and bottomin child or infant versions. FIG. 4 is a front view of anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 400 according to the presentinvention. The recessed digit receiving area 420 with a nail-acceptingslot 422 is shown. The removeable clippings capture tray 406, bottom 404and on-off button 408 is shown, along with the height h and width w ofthe device.

FIG. 5 is a left-side view of an electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus 500 according to the present invention. Theelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 500 has a top 502, bottom504, electric receptor 510, right side wall 512 and on-off button 506.

FIG. 6 is a back-to-front perspective view of an openedelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 600 according to the presentinvention. Shown on the opened electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus 600 are an electric motor 602, support box 604 for the on-offbutton 606, and an external structural frame 608 to support forwardelements in the opened electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 600.

The external electric source connection 612 is shown overlaying thebottom or base 614 having a frame 610. FIG. 7 is a front-to-backperspective view of an opened electrically-powered nail cuttingapparatus 700 according to the present invention. Again are shown anelectric motor 702, support box 704 for the on-off button 706, and anexternal structural frame 708 and 710 to support forward elements in theopened electrically-powered nail cutting apparatus 700. Among theforward elements are the insertable/removable front access plate, therecessed area for positioning digits 730, a chute 726 for capturing nailclippings (not shown) and directing them for deposit into removableclipping tray 722 with a capture area 724 for the nail clippings. Asupport frame 720 for guiding the removable tray 722 is shown. The motormay contain a timing function (not shown) such as a circuit, rheostat ormicrochip to control the speed, time repetition sequence, time intervalsand the like for operation of the motor so that the blades moves up anddown at an effective rate (e.g., a complete cycle at least every minuteand preferably within 3-50 seconds or every 5-50 seconds). The circuitmay be a field programmable gated array (FPGA) or ASIC (applicationspecific integrated circuit), the first being programmable, and thesecond being hardened in the integrated circuit. An external powerreceptacle 712 is shown.

FIG. 8A is a front-to-back perspective view of electrical clips 800 toattach a power source to a motor driving movement of the blade in anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention. The two sets of clips, one clipped to the on-off controls 802and the other connected to the motor 804 are shown. Clips 806 go to theexternal electrical power source connection 712 in FIG. 7 ) may be aground or stabilizing clip to prevent excess internal movement of theclips 800. Identical numbers in FIG. 8A are identical elements describedin FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8B is a back-to-front perspective view of electrical clips 800 toattach a power source to a motor driving movement of the blade in anelectrically-powered nail cutting apparatus according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A is a front-to-back perspective view of electrical motor 900 usedto assist in motivating cutting blade movement. The motor 900 is shownwith an electric plug 906, rotating shaft 902 and eccentricallypositioned cam post 904. As the motor 900 rotates the shaft 902. Lookingat the movement of the eccentric cam post 904 and the oblong ovalcam-receiving opening in the blade plate holder frame (not shown)attending opening 204 (in FIG. 2 ) to assist in movement of the bladeunit 200, as shown in FIG. 2 , as the cam post 904 is rotated up, theblade plate unit 200 is elevated to a highest position. As the cam post904 rotates down, it presses against the lowest interior edge of theoblong oval cam-receiving opening 1228 cam attending opening 204 toforce movement of the blade plate unit 200 in a downward path. Thedownward force will press the blade plate 200 against and through anynail extending into the device. The motor 900 speed and torque appliedto the cam post 904 will determine the frequency of cutting operationsand the force applied during those cutting operations. The motor may beprogrammed to move continuously (same rotation frequency and speed forthe shaft 902, or may have its speed in a step manner, such as to movethe blade plate unit 200 down at an optimal speed, stop at a lowestposition of the blade plate unit 200, lift the blade unit at a desiredspeed (less significant because the speed is merely to reset the bladeplate unit 200 to a pre-cutting position (as with an elevated guillotineblade), and then optionally pause (a light may be used to indicate thata pause position has been reached), and the shaft 902 rotated to forcethe blade plate unit 200 down to cut any nail that has been insertedinto the device.

FIG. 9B is a back-to-front perspective view of electrical motor 900 usedto assist in motivating cutting blade movement. Electrical plugs 906 andthe forward positioned shaft 902 are also shown.

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of the blade plate holder frame afront section of the electrically-powered nail clipping system 1000 ofthe present invention. The front plate 1002 is shown with the nailaccessing curved opening 1004, the chute 1006 for directing nailclippings,

FIG. 10B shows a side cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame frontsection of the electrically-powered nail clipping system of the presentinvention 1000 a shown in FIG. 10A, but without the blade shown. Theforward blade support elements or glide controls 1008 are glide supportson both sides of a blade (not shown). The front plate 1002 and the chute1006 are also shown.

FIG. 10C shows a side cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame frontsection of the electrically-powered nail clipping system of the presentinvention 1000 b shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, but with the blade (orblade plate) 1012 shown supported by the blade holder frame is a spring1014 1000 b and blade guide support features glide controls 1008 b 1010.The top portion of the blade plate holder frame 1000 b acts as a springportion 1016 of the spring 1014 to maintain pressure on the blade 1012so that the blade 1012 remains flush against the inside of the frontaccess plate 1002 (which acts as a bracing plate 1002 against the sideof the blade plate) as the blade plate 1012 slides up and down. Aspreviously stated, and here further shown in FIG. 10C, the blade plate1010 carrying a blade 1012 is free sliding, and can be removed. slidupward out of the apparatus (e.g., for replacement or sharpening). or itmay be manually or tool-removed from the groove 1011.

FIG. 10C shows a side cutaway view of the front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system 1000 of the present inventionshown in FIG. 10A, but with the blade 1010 shown. The cover 1002 is onthe front of the clipping system 1000. The bottom cutting edge 1012 ofthe blade 1010 is shown supported between the cover 1002 and aspring/tension-providing plate 1014, with a top, forward pressingcomponent 1016 keeping the blade 1010 stable without wobbling as it isdriven during a cutting operation.

FIG. 11A shows a perspective view of a front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system 1100 of the present inventionwith the cover front access plate removed to expose the interiorsupports 1118 a and 1118 b for the blade (not present). There is spacingor groove 1120 behind each of the interior supports 1118 a and 1118 band in front of the pressure ridge forward section 1116 of thespring/tension-providing feature of the blade plate holder frame plate1014 (of FIG. 10C 10B).

FIG. 11B shows a perspective view of a front section of theelectrically-powered nail clipping system with a blade plate 1110 of thepresent invention with the front access cover plate removed to exposethe blade plate 1110 supported by interior supports of the blade plateholder frame interior supports or glide controls 1118 a and 1118 b onthe sides forming grooves behind the front face of the housing (notshown) to control a blade plate 1110 carrying a blade 1012 (from FIG.10C) and in front of the pressure ridge 1116 (of FIG. 11A) andspring/tension-providing feature plate 1114 above a back plate 1119above the chute 1106. There is also a bracing plate 1122 located againsta side of the blade plate 1110 carrying a blade 1012 between the springtension providing plate 1114 and the glide controls 1118 a and 1118 b.This is also shown in FIG. 10C, with elements (the cover) 1002, (theblade plate) 1010 and (forward pressing component) 1016. The combinedtension between the interior supports 1118 a and 1118 b, the pressureridge 1116 and in front of the spring/tension-providing feature plate1114 established part of a biasing, guiding track 1120 a 1120 b for theblade plate 1110 carrying carries a blade 1012 to travel along and notbe deflected out of alignment as the cutting edge of the blade plate1110 slices through a nail.

FIG. 12B shows a perspective view of the back side of the blade plateholder frame 1220 with the top of oblong, oval cam-receiving opening1228 shown. The pins or posts 1208 a are shown, where the blade plate(not shown) is engaged with and secured to the blade plate holder frame1220. A side of the oblong, oval cam-receiving opening 1224 and a topridge of the bottom of the oblong, oval cam-receiving opening 1226 arealso shown. A top portion of the clipping capturing sloped plate 1214 ais shown. Structural face 1222 and structural rib 1230 on the bladeplate holder frame 1220 are also shown. As a cam extending presses intothe face of the top of oblong, oval cam-receiving opening 1228, theentire blade plate holder frame 1220 (carrying the secured blade, whichis not shown) is lifted into a pre-clipping position. As a cam extendingpresses into the face of the bottom of oblong, oval cam-receivingopening 1226, the entire blade plate holder frame 1220 (carrying thesecured blade, which is not shown) is lifted into a post-clippingposition.

FIG. 12C shows a perspective view of the front side of the blade plateholder frame 1240 with the raised pressure ridges 1210 b shown in anarea 1242 where the blade plate is set and supported by the pins orposts or arms 1208 b. A clipping capturing sloped plate 1204 is shown.This clipping capturing sloped plate 1204 may just direct clipping awayfrom the blade plate holder frame 1240 or may direct them into a tray(not shown).

FIG. 13A shows a side. cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame 1300with blade plate receiving area 1308 and edges of the oblong, ovalcam-receiving opening 1318, the blade plate holder frame in an elevatedposition over the inside, bottom of the housing 1302. The top of theblade plate holder frame 1304 may or may not contact the top innersurface of the housing (not shown). An upper back, support plate 1320and a lower back support plate 1318 that provides pressure (through theridges of FIG. 12C) against the blade plate (not shown) is part of theblade plate holder frame 1300.

FIG. 13B shows a side. cutaway view of the blade plate holder frame 1330with blade plate receiving area 1308 and edges of the oblong, a lowerback support plate 1322 that provides pressure (through the ridges ofFIG. 12C) against the blade plate (not shown) oval cam-receiving opening1321, the blade plate holder frame 1330 in a lowermost position over orin contact with the bottom of the housing 1302. The top of the bladeplate holder frame 1306 may or may not contact the top inner surface ofthe housing (not shown). This is mainly for further enablement of howthe device may be built from component parts are constructed from thosecomponent parts.

FIG. 14 shows the cam element 1400 with the motor shaft receivingelement 1408 bound continuously within the cam by solid structure 1402with the shaft receiving opening 1406 positioned off-center within thecam element 1400 so that rotation of the entire cam element 1400 causesthe outermost edge 1404 cam 1404 to move in a relatively circular mannerwithin the cam-receiving opening (not shown) on the rear side of theblade plate holder frame (not shown). The rotating cam 1400 is elevatedabove a forward base plate 1402 so as to engage with the cam-receivingopening (1228 in FIG. 12B) and move the entire blade plate holder frame(not shown) up and down consecutively, thus moving the held orrestrained blade (not shown) up and down, to clip nails inserted intothe clipping area. The distal outside surface 1404 of the cam 1400presses up against the cam-receiving opening to raise the blade plateholder frame, and then presses downwardly within the blade plate holderframe to lower the entire blade plate holder frame in a clipping action.

The shaft from the motor (not shown) is inserted into opening 1406, sothat when the shaft rotates the cam 1400, the top outside surface 1404impacts the oblong opening on the back side of the blade plate holderframe.

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of one embodiment of an electronic nailclipping device 1500 within the scope of the present invention. Thedevice 1500 is shown with an on-off button 1524 on a top section 1502for the system. A front plate with nail opening 1512 fits into thesupport 1520 for the blade plate holder 1516 which has the blade plate1514 to be attached to the blade plate holder 1516. The cam element 1518is shown, which will be connected through its back side to the electricmotor with shaft 1522.

An electrical connection system 1526 connects the electric motor withshaft 1522 to an internal battery power source 1528. A connecting ring1506 engages both the top section 1502 and the bottom section 504 tosecure the various elements to and within the nail clipping device 1500.

A nail-clippings capture tray 1508 engages in the bottom section 1504which in turn is seated on a footing 1510 that closes an opening in thebase of the bottom section 1504.

The shaft on the electric motor 1522 passes through the support 1522 forthe blade plate holder frame 1522 to engage the cam elements 1518 whichengages with the blade plate holder 1516. The entire blade plate holder1516 is thus driven upward and downward within the device 1500.

FIG. 16A is a front view of the blade plate 1600 with the eccentricallyrotating cam 1604 in an uppermost position within the hole 1614 of theblade plate 1600. The eccentric-position slot 1606 engages with thedrive shaft (not shown) of the motor (not shown). The eccentricallyrotating cam 1604 is shown in an uppermost position within the hole1614, driving the plate 1600 to its highest elevation by forces at thehighest contact point 608 between the eccentrically rotating cam 1604 isand the blade plate 1600. The motion of the plate was upward 1616 untilthis point, with the blade 1610 secured within the frame 1602 of theblade plate 1600 by the notches 1612 as explained above.

FIG. 16B is a front view of the blade plate 1600 with the eccentricallyrotating cam 1604 in an lowermost position within the hole 1614 of theblade plate 1600. At the contact point 1626, the eccentrically rotatingcam 1604 has forced the blade plate 1600, the and blade 1610 to itslowest point within the nail-clipping device (not shown), driving theblade 1610 through the cutting position. The blade is shown with thenotches 1612 securing the extensions 1628 from the blade. FIG. 16C is afront inverted view of the blade plate 1600 with the eccentricallyrotating cam 1604 in a farthest left contact position 1608 a within thehole of the blade plate 1600. Identical elements from previous figuresare shown with identical numbers.

The distance between opposed sides of the slot may be from 0.018-0.090(the lowest limit is for infant nails, e.g., 0.018-0.030 inches, or0.035-0.090 inches (for adolescent and adults nails), and preferablybetween 0.045-0.085 inches, with the larger dimensions desirable for usewith adult toe nails,

FIG. 16D is a front view of the blade plate with the eccentricallyrotating cam in a farthest right contact position 1608 b within the holeof the blade plate.

Although specific materials, dimensions and descriptions are provided,these examples are mere species within the generic concepts of thepresent invention.

FIG. 17A shows a front view of an alternative front plate have two fleshretractors below the nail opening to the internal cutting mechanism ofthe device.

FIG. 17B shows a side view of an alternative front plate have two fleshretractors below the nail opening to the internal cutting mechanism ofthe device.

FIG. 17A shows a front view of an alternative front plate 1702 have twoflesh retractors 1704, 1706 below the nail opening 1708 to the internalcutting mechanism of the device. In both FIGS. 17A and 17B, the relativesizes of the two flesh retractors 1704, 1706 and the nail opening 1708are exemplary and not limiting. The upper flesh retractor 1704 may besmaller (as shown) the same size or larger than lower flesh retractor1706 based on stiffness, size and materials, but in any event shouldstill perform the functions as required. Those functions include some orall of the lower flesh retractor impinging on flesh of the digit(especially the toe) more distal from the nail, pulling the flesh massaway from the nail to create a spatial separation and opening betweenthe nail and flesh. The upper flesh retractor 1706 may be adjacent to orwithin that created separation and opening, adding additional protectionagainst any flesh being able to penetrate into the nail opening. Thisprovides extra safety against any accidental flesh injury as compared toboth a front plate with no retractors or a plate with only a singleretractor as described above.

The materials used in manufacturing the plate remain the same asdescribed above with respect to the plate and the single retractor,metals, polymers, elastomers, rubbers and the like. These may be fusedor adhered to or integral to the plate surface.

FIG. 17B shows a side view of the alternative front plate 1702 of FIG.17A having two flesh retractors 1704, 1706 below the nail opening 1708to the internal cutting mechanism of the device. As noted herein, only asingle flesh retractor may be used.

Other variations within the scope of the claims are allowable.

What is claimed:
 1. An automatic nail-clipping device having a frontplate having an exterior face and an interior face with a curved slotfor allowing nails of a primate; the curved slot having a raised highestelevation and two lower elevations ends of the slot; the nail clippingdevice having a housing that contains a motor and a cutting blade thatreciprocates along the interior face of the front plate, traversingacross the slot; the exterior of the front plate having an elevated areaextending outwardly away from the front plate and below the raisedhighest elevation of the curved slot.
 2. The automatic nail-clippingdevice of claim 1 wherein the elevated area comprises a metal orsynthetic resin flexible piece attached to the exterior face of thefront plate.
 3. The automatic nail-clipping device of claim 1 whereinthe elevated area comprises a synthetic polymer living hinge fused ormolded to the exterior face of the front plate.
 4. The automaticnail-clipping device of claim 1 wherein the cutting blade is supportedin a blade plate having a frame with a forward face and a rear face, thefront face having the cutting blade secured thereon and the rear facehaving a cam-receptive opening with four interior sides comprising atop, a bottom and two sides in the opening; a. the opening having a campositioned therein, the cam having an eccentrically positioned slot witha post extending therein from a drive shaft on the motor; b. theeccentricity of the slot causing rotation of the post from the driveshaft to eccentrically rotate the cam so that it progresses in contactwith the four interior sides to progressively raise and lower the driveplate.
 5. An automatic nail-clipping device comprising: a covering shellwith a face plate having a slot for nail insertion therein; a cuttingblade; wherein the cutting blade is supported in a blade plate having aframe with a forward face and a rear face, the front face having thecutting blade secured thereon and the rear face having a cam-receptiveopening with four interior sides comprising a top, a bottom and twosides in the opening; a. the opening having a cam positioned therein,the cam having an eccentrically positioned slot with a post extendingtherein from a drive shaft on the motor; b. the eccentricity of the slotcausing rotation of the post from the drive shaft to eccentricallyrotate the cam so that it progresses in contact with the four interiorsides to progressively raise and lower the drive plate.
 6. The automaticnail-clipping device of claim 5 wherein frame of the blade plate has afront face and a rear face, and joining the blade and opposed edge, twoside edges; each side edge having c) a notch or hole therein or b) a pinor post therein; each blade supported in the blade plate; the frame ofthe blade plate having d) two posts fitted into the notches or holes inthe side edge or e) two holes or notches fitted onto the pin or post;the blade supported in the frame of the blade plate with support fromthe two side edges and the rear face; the frame of the blade platehaving a front face with a raised pressure ridge thereon providingpressure against the blade plate transferring said pressure through theblade plate to the rear of the face plate, and a rear face with an ovalcam receiving opening therein; the blade holder frame slideably engagedwithin a motor mount frame; the face plate, stably fixed to the coveringshell motor frame mount, with a slot in the face plate for allowinginsertion of a nail of a primate to pass through the slot to a cuttingarea within the covering shell; engaging the cam receiving opening inthe rear face of the blade plate is the eccentrically rotating cam; anelectric motor connected to the cam through the drive shaft; the motorconfigured to rotate the rotatable shaft, revolving the eccentricallyrevolving cam; the eccentrically revolving cam configured to applyvarying force against the cam-receptive opening in the rear face of theblade plate, thereby causing the entire frame of the blade plate toslide up and down within the covering shell, moving the blade plateparallel against a plane of the face plate.
 7. The device of claim 5wherein the blade plate further comprises an outwardly-sloped plane tocatch and redirect nail clippings from behind the face plate to a frontarea of the face plate and each side edge having a) the notch or holetherein.
 8. The device of claim 5 wherein an on-off switch is present onthe covering shell to close a circuit allowing power to flow to theelectric motor and each side edge having a) the notch or hole therein.9. The device of claim 5 wherein the covering shell comprises a firsttop piece and a second bottom piece, and connection of the first toppiece and the second bottom piece fixes the motor frame mount within thecovering shell and provides space for the blade holder frame to slideunobstructed along a complete upward track and a complete downward track.
 10. The device of claim 4 wherein the frame of the blade plate furthercomprises an outwardly-sloped plane to catch and redirect nail clippingsfrom behind the face plate to a front area of the face plate.
 11. Thedevice of claim 5 wherein the second bottom piece has an indentation infront of and below the face plate, and a sliding tray inserted into theindentation to capture nail clippings from the outwardly sloped plane.12. The device of claim 6 wherein the covering shell encloses a batterypack for carrying at least one battery that can power the electricmotor.
 13. The device of claim 5 wherein a timer is engaged with theelectric motor to cause timed intervals between movement of the bladeholder frame by the motor.
 14. The device of claim 5 wherein movement ofthe blade plate is effected by the rotations per minute of a drive shaftdriven by the electric motor.
 15. The device of claim 5 wherein theraised pressure ridge provides pressure against the blade plate whichbiases the blade plate against the interior face of the face plate asthe blade holder frame reciprocates up and down.
 16. A method of cuttingnails of a primate by inserting nails of a primate into a curved slot ofa device comprising: an automatic nail-clipping device having a frontplate having an exterior face and an interior face with the curved slotfor allowing nails of a primate; the curved slot having a raised highestelevation and two lower elevations ends of the slot; the nail clippingdevice having a housing that contains a motor and a cutting blade thatreciprocates along the interior face of the front plate, traversingacross the slot; the exterior of the front plate having an elevated areaextending outwardly away from the front plate and below the raisedhighest elevation of the curved slot; 1 the method comprising anelectric motor driving the cutting blade up and down in a reciprocatingpatter.
 17. A method of cutting nails of a primate by inserting nails ofa primate into a curved slot of the device of claim 5, the methodcomprising the motor driving the drive shaft to rotate the eccentricallyrotating cam, causing the blade plate to move reciprocally up and down,sliding the blade across the slot in the face plate, cutting a nail of aprimate placed therein.
 18. The nail-cutting device of claim 5 whereinthe slot has a gap between a top edge of the gap and a bottom edge ofthe gap between 0.018 and 0.090 inches.
 19. The nail-cutting device ofclaim 5 wherein the slot has a gap between a top edge of the gap and abottom edge of the gap between 0.018 and 0.030 inches.
 20. Thenail-cutting device of claim 5 wherein the slot has a gap between a topedge of the gap and a bottom edge of the gap between 0.035 and 0.090inches.